Bluehost File Manager- More problems.

[lukes customs]

I’m not sure what the problem is with the current software, but everytime I use it there are different problem with it. I lose pages entirely, functions that worked before doesn’t now, etc, etc. etc!!

I entire site is built in the Blue Host server using file manager, so this poses a big problem for me.

Here is the route I take to edit my site:
Log on
Go to File Manager
/public_html
Choose page
HTML Editor
Page is open for changes.

My current problem:
I upload my pictures as normal; (I have several folders that store my pictures). When I go to “insert picture” no matter where I have uploaded my pictures, they are not in the file. But this is ONLY when I try to insert the picture. All of my old pictures are that have been there for years are there but not the new ones.

When I’m in my public_html the pictures are in the files where they should be. I tried moving them between files and they just do not appear in the files while trying to “insert” on the page, I don’t get! This is a brand new problem; I’ve been doing the same thing for the past year!

I have also noticed that after I upload a picture it does not show up (files don’t refresh) unless I close the program and start all over!

[Early Out]

You will always be better off editing your pages on your own PC, and simply uploading the new versions with an FTP client program. Working within the File Manager really is the hard way.

[skeezix]

Try using the 'legacy' File Manager. Do you have the same problems?

IMO the File Manager is not ready for the big-time. I had similar problems - files wouldn't rename, could not delete folders, etc. so I just use the legacy file manager.

But then I'm just a legacy fart....

[felgall]

Surely the file manager is only there so you can make quick corrections to your page that you notice while away from your own PC. All regular updates would get done on your own computer and uploaded via the FTP program on your computer. For that use either file manager does the job quite adequately and I don't know why they bothered creating a second one.

[The Wiz]

I agree with the above posts. I use legacy file manager and I don't know why bluehost just took it upon themselves to change everything. They own it but user input would have been a plus. Everything worked great before they put a six pack carb under the hood of a 4cylinder engine. Just another example of it may not be needed by you, you may be happy with the old way but we are doing it this way.

[skeezix]

... before they put a six pack carb under the hood of a 4cylinder

You're showing your age...

[lukes customs]

Thanks guys, I was out of town for Thanksgiving and couldn't check on this.

I just tried the Legacy File Manager and it does not "see" the newly uploaded pictures from the editing mode through HTML Editor (insert picture). Something funky is happening because it doesn’t even give me the option to "browse" to look for photo’s on my computer as it normally does.

Whenever I have a problem with the File Manager everyone gives the same advice “don’t edit in file manager, do it on my PC”. That’s fine but I’m an idiot when it comes to this stuff, so I’m not sure how to go about it. I’ve struggled with the file manager to build my web site as it is.

Here is a link to my site so you can see my limited skills at web design.>
http://www.lukescustoms.com/page0001.htm

Is there a simple, easy to learn program (preferably free) that I can redo and maintain my site in? I prefer simple to learn mostly because I need to spend time in the shop and not on the computer. But the nature of my business requires me to update my website on a VERY regular schedule. All of which I have not been able to do since Blue Host changed their software.

[skeezix]

I had a look at your website. Simple? Yes. Informative? Yes. You have the content. Could you pretty it up? Yes. Do you need to? Up to you. Probably wouldn't hurt, but don't forget, content followed by ease of update are the keys. I think you've done very well, myself. (One of your links to a product doesn't lead to that product, so you may want to check it out - can't remember which link though.)

If you did all that just through the File Manager and its html editor, my hat's off to you. You got your money's worth.

Several free products are available to help you with your presentation. You can use WordPress and Joomla, for example. Both are free, powerful, available on BlueHost, and have a learning curve that, for me anyway, was pretty steep, and I've mastered some pretty tough programs in the past. Those may be overkill for your purposes, and the time you spend coming up to speed might not be worth it because you may not use, or need to use, many of their features.

Others are available as well, guess you'll have to google for them. Once you get past the breakers though, and things click into place, everything gets a lot simpler. I might consider like WordPress in your case, along with some help from this forum. I say that because once the WP site is up, the WP tools and its administration panel make it pretty easy to manage the site, add pages, etc.

No matter what you use, you will have to dedicate some time picking up the basics before you can get even the simplest page on the air. You might consider looking around for somebody who can do your site for you. Shouldn't take more than an attractive home page, a page for each of your products, a price list, the PayPal page you've already done, and that's about it. Once those are up and running, it wouldn't be difficult for you to take over, and I'm sure you will recoup the money you spend because the time you save can be used for your shop work.

Instead of a page for each product, you could put them all on one page in a 3-column table. That would "pre-format" things for you and make it easier to maintain, update, and add products. Put a small image in the first column. The image could link to a larger one like those you have to show the detail work. Put the description in the 2nd column and make it the widest. The 3rd could contain an "Add to shopping cart" button, or a link to more info, or something like that.

Alternatively, you could do away with the 3rd column altogether and just put links to shopping cart or whatever at the end of the description column. A zillion different ways exist. Surf around until you see something you like.

Include a bit of your background on your home page so people will know that YOU know something about your products. Put up a warranty, maybe. A bit of sales jive won't hurt as long as it's straight-forward and to the point.

I wish you well in your endeavors.

[felgall]

Rather than using the File Manager to edit files a better option would be.

An editor on your computer - the best available free include:
HTMLkit
CSE HTML Validator
KompoZer
NVU

An FTP program to upload files to your hosting - free ones include:
WS-FTP LE
SmartFTP
Filezilla
coreFTP

[lukes customs]

Felgall,

Of the free editors you listed which would be the most idiot proof to learn in your opinion?

I need something simple, just enough to bring pictures in, add hyper links, and text editing.

Thanks for everyones help...